But she was inmybed.
Willingly.
My chest ached with emotion. I loved her. God, I loved this woman so much, it made me a little unhinged. So much so that I knew if she ever walked away, I’d burn the fucking world to ash just to find her and drag her back with me.
But those three little words hadn’t left her lips. Not once.
I’d given them to her again and again, but every time I told her how I felt, she got quiet, like she didn't hear me.
We both knew she did.
I brushed my knuckles down her arm, savoring the touch, no matter how light.
I needed more time with her, just like this.
Silence. Us. Uninterrupted by the world.
I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and walked from the room, hating to leave her for even one second, but I had to know if James had any news for me.
He picked up after four rings. “Hello?” he answered in a sleepy voice.
“Did you get it?” I asked him.
“Good morning to you too,” he muttered.
“James…” I didn’t have time for his bullshit. I needed answers.
“Let me check my emails,” he grumbled.
I walked back to the room silently, peeking around the doorframe to make sure she was still in bed. She hadn’t moved.
“They accepted your offer,” James said as I moved down the hall to avoid waking Avery. “Said they could be out by the end of the w—”
“Do what it takes to get them out by the end of the day,” I snapped.
“I doubt—”
“Whatever it takes, James. Pay for the movers and everything. Avery and I will leave after she wakes up. Make sure they’re gone by the time we arrive.”
“Got it, boss.”
I hung up and then logged onto my laptop to send some emails out, needing everything in order before she woke up.
She wasn’t going to be happy about what I’d done, not at first, but she’d eventually understand I only did what was necessary to protect us.
Iwoke up to an empty bed.
The sheets smelled like him—woodsy and leather. The room was quiet. The curtains still blocked the morning light from invading the dim room.
I lied still for a moment, blinking at the ceiling, letting the fog of sleep fade before sitting upright and throwing my legs over the edge of the bed.
My body ached, raw and bruised deep inside me. The way he’d fucked me the night before could only be described as thorough and unapologetic.
My thighs shook just thinking about it.
And all because of the asshole at the club who couldn’t take a hint. I knew it bothered Rowen that I let the guy flirt with me, but I imagined he saw red when the dude grabbed me, trying to pull me away from my stepbrother.
It should’ve scared me, should’ve made me question everything when Rowen got into the car with the evidence of what he’d done on his knuckles.
